Strongest Necromancer System Chapter 707: Falling Asleep and Waking Up

"You have to undertake this journey by yourself since only you hold the power over your own identity, and nobody else can help you uncover who you are. Therefore, I shall bestow upon you the opportunity to use the Lake of Remembrance to explore your true self. Contemplate these inquiries regarding your authentic nature. Banish all notions of the external world from your thoughts, and release every tie to material concerns. Only then might you perceive the wind's voice as it addresses you. Every sage in history paused to reflect and uncover their essence before attaining the insight required for sagehood, and given the promise I've observed in you, I have no doubt you possess this capability as well. If you genuinely desire the strength to stand alongside Jason in the days ahead, then you'll invest everything into this pursuit. I'll head back to the city now. Proceed at your own pace and handle what needs doing. A servant will fetch you once dinner's prepared."

Once Farlow finished his words, he pivoted and started exiting the Lake of Remembrance, leaving Gina staring at him with eyes widened in astonishment! She hadn't anticipated Farlow sharing such insights, and she struggled to accept that becoming a Sage demanded this kind of introspection. For so long, Gina had practiced her Sage skills by attempting to command the wind or redirect fierce gusts heading her way, yet she saw zero advancement! Since first awakening her powers, Gina hadn't forged a real bond with the wind, and deep down, she sensed she was approaching it incorrectly! However, she never dreamed the problem lay not in her physique but in her psyche.

Gina wouldn't describe herself as hesitant. She possessed sharp instincts, and once she decided on a course, she adhered to it firmly. Yet, much about her inner self remained a mystery! At just twenty years old, no one her age could boast complete self-knowledge! Thus, Gina recognized this as typical for her youth! But to advance with the ability she'd unlocked, settling for ordinary wouldn't suffice! She required enlightenment, and honestly, Gina had zero clue where to start. Before Farlow could depart, Gina faced him and voiced her concern.

"Hold on, uh... King Farlow. I've never tried meditating, and I don't know how to even start seeking what I need. What... what do I do?"

Gina's inquiry came from sincere bewilderment, and Farlow grasped her uncertainty. Nearly every Sage encountered this early in their path. Sages aren't selected by choice; the world alone chooses whom to favor with this gift. Thus, some mages practiced for ages without sensing a thing, while others received the blessing with minimal preparation. A case like Gina's—becoming a Sage sans any prior training—was unprecedented, but Farlow viewed it positively. It signaled the world's recognition of her extraordinary potential, and he believed if anyone could reach this insight, it was her.

"Simply shut your eyes and let the wind guide your thoughts wherever it desires. The magic will handle the remainder."

Farlow delivered these words with a faint smile, then spun around and departed before Gina could pose further queries. She remained puzzled, yearning to clarify what he meant by letting the wind steer one's mind! But Farlow had vanished, forcing Gina to unravel this independently! With a sigh, she surveyed the stunning lakeside and the creatures steering clear of her presence. A lingering doubt told her this was time squandered when she could search for Jason, but she knew Jason would encourage her to pursue it! If it promised greater strength, Jason would urge her to commit fully, so Gina resolved to attempt it.

Gina approached a massive tree near the lake, where a soft breeze danced through its branches, and she settled against its trunk, leaning back before shutting her eyes to sense the wind. She persisted like this for several minutes, her form easing into relaxation amid nature's soothing murmurs enveloping her. Strands of Gina's hair danced as the gentle zephyr brought the aroma of fresh grass to her nostrils, while the waterfall's cascade into the lake resounded within her core! Serenity reigned everywhere, an ideal spot for any monk seeking contemplation. But Gina wasn't a monk, and her thoughts weren't disciplined to remain alert in such tranquility. Thus, scarcely five minutes passed before her head lolled against the bark, and sleep claimed her.

....

[With Jason]

[An Unknown Location]

’Jas-! Jason! Hey, I know you're up! Rise already, damn it!’

Jason squeezed his eyes tighter against the grating voice resounding in his mind, grimacing as awareness gradually pierced his haze. A pounding ache throbbed at his temple, prompting him to press a hand there and massage it lightly in hopes of relief.

’That damn headache won't budge no matter what. Frankly, your psyche's a total mess at the moment. You're fortunate your sanity held intact after all that.’

The vexing tone rang out again, and now Jason pinpointed it as Esdeath. He muttered irritably in response.

"Quit yapping, you fool. It's aggravating it more."

’Fine, fine, I'll hush up for the time being. But you'd better snap to and check out your location first.’

As Esdeath retreated into the depths of his awareness, her final remark spurred Jason to assess his environment. Even with eyes closed, he detected plush material beneath him, indicating a bed, and an odd current brushing his bare skin, revealing his lack of a shirt. Shock creased Jason's forehead, and he cautiously lifted his lids to confront a radiant white glow overhead. Fortunately, it wasn't intense enough to dazzle him, allowing Jason to disregard it while propping himself up for a survey. He found himself in a pristine white chamber boasting opulent furnishings typical of a king's quarters. The expansive four-poster bed cradling him featured white linen drapes encircling it, and Jason noted three doors connecting to other parts of the structure. Yet none of that captured his focus. His gaze shifted sideways, narrowing upon the figure of a woman dozing next to him.